Bulletin Board: MFA Carbondale

Helena "Hel" Bell update

2012-02-01T19:00:00.001-06:00

Congrats to Helena Bell (MFA '08) on the new story publication:

"All the Young Kirks and Their Good Intentions" is now live at Clarkesworld!

http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/bell_02_12/

Alex Lumans: Recent Publications

2012-01-31T10:15:00.001-06:00

Word from fiction grad Alex Lumans (MFA '09):

A story of mine entitled "Eighty-SIx Ways to Cross One Desert" was
accepted by Fifty-Two Stories. And Booth took a story called "Phys Ed
112: You and Your Apocalypse."

Hobart also accepted a story of mine that's told in tweets called
"Twitterfeed: TheSinner'sCorpse." It's up now:
http://www.hobartpulp.com/website/january/lumans.html

I also have a story starting today at Necessary Fiction called
"Acknowledge the Corn" for their Origin Stories Month:
http://necessaryfiction.com/writerinres

And The Collagist will soon publish my book review of Michael Griffith's Trophy.

Congrats on everything, Lumans!

Congrats to Leslie Adams!

2012-01-30T18:43:00.001-06:00

Third year MFA poetry student Leslie Adams sends this great news all
the way from France:

West Branch will be taking "Half-Water Meditation," "Men Eating
Alone," "Meditation with Lines from Wallace Stevens," and "The Beach
House." It's great when some of your favorites get picked up together!

All best, and miss you all,

Leslie

Congrats, Leslie!

Congrats to Max Schleicher!

2012-01-30T08:33:00.001-06:00

Great news this morning from third-year poetry MFA Max Schleicher:

Lake Effect is publishing my poems "Hunger Weather" and "January
Coyote." My first pub.

Congrats, Max!!!

forthcoming story for Helena "Hel" Bell

2012-01-25T13:56:00.001-06:00

MFA '08 grad Helena "Hel" Bell writes with this lovely news:

Clarkesworld Magazine (you may remember that they published a story by
Alex Lumans a while back) has accepted "All the Young Kirks and Their
Good Intentions" Will send a link when it goes live.

Congrats, Hel!!!

New Poem from Mark Brewin

2012-01-24T10:07:00.001-06:00

Recent MFA grad Mark Brewin has a new poem up on line at Mason's Road:

"...just came out today from Mason's Road. It's a longer piece
titled, "Letter about my last night in Carbondale, Illinois."

http://www.masonsroad.com/issue-4/poetry-issue-4-2/letter-about-my-last-night-in-carbondale-illinois-to-colin-joseph-campbell/

Congrats, Brewin!

Congrats to Andrew McSorley!

2012-01-23T15:13:00.001-06:00

Lovely news for second-year poet Andrew McSorley:

Rougarou, the online literary journal at the University of Louisiana,
Lafayette took my poem "Backyard Rink."

Congrats, Andy!!!!

Congrats to Shawn Mitchell!

2012-01-20T08:18:00.001-06:00

Third-year fiction student Shawn Mitchell shares this great news:

I had an essay on the Cuirt Literary Festival picked up for the next
issue of P&W!

Congrats, Shawn!

Congrats to Staci Schoenfeld and Brett Gaffney!

2012-01-14T14:08:00.001-06:00

Some fine news for two first-year poets:

First-year poetry MFA student Staci Schoenfeld has publication news:

I just received word that nibble will publish two of my poems -
"Desire from A to Z" and "Valentine" in their next issue!

Congrats, Staci!!

First year poetry MFA student Brett Gaffney also has publication news:

The Medulla Review accepted two of my poems into their next (all women) issue
The poems are "Night People" and "The Scream Queen."

Congrats, Brett!!

Congrats to Brenna Lemieux (MFA '11)

2012-01-14T13:21:00.001-06:00

Great news for poetry alum Brenna Lemieux:

I'm writing with the glad tidings that three of my poems have recently
been accepted for publication: "Someone Else's Pain" and "Mrs. Eder's
Sunday School Class" got picked up by Bellevue Literary Review, and
"The Gospel of Household Plants" was accepted by cream city review.

Congrats to Mark Jay Brewin, Jr!

2011-12-14T15:16:00.001-06:00

Congrats to Mark Brewin (MFA '11, poetry):

I am pleased to say that my poems "On Sea Glass" and "Mother('s)-"
(which won third place in the Roxana Rivera contest) have been
accepted to be printed in the Fall/Winter Issue of Interrobang?!,
while my poem "A Turn of Phrase" is being featured on the main page of
their website:

http://www.interrobangzine.com/poetry/a-turn-of-phrase-mark-jay-brewin-jr/

Check it out. It's nice to have a little online presence.

Great news, Mark! Congrats!

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11, fiction)

2011-12-14T10:26:00.001-06:00

News from Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11, fiction):

Saw Palm accepted my nonfiction piece entitled "Bean Point" and I have
a poem, "Escape from Brazil" coming out in the next issue of Tampa
Review. I also have an interview with Ana Menendez being published
with the good folks at Fiction Writers Review. I'll let you know when
it's live.

Congrats, MSY!

Congrats to Jung Hae Chae!

2011-12-14T10:22:00.001-06:00

Third-year poetry MFA Jung Hae Chae has great news:

I'm delighted to share news of my upcoming publication (first ever!).
My poem, "Dream of the Forest Inside Desert," will be published in
Third Coast in Fall 2012.

Congrats, Jung!!!

Congrats to Mark Jay Brewin, Jr.

2011-12-06T13:35:00.001-06:00

Congrats to Mark Brewn (MFA '11, poetry) on another forthcoming publication!

I am happy to say that my poem, "Letter about my last night in
Carbondale, Illinois" was accepted for publication in Mason's Road out
of Fairfield University. It's a long one, too. Another poem that would
have never come to be--skill or subject wise--if I hadn't attended the
wonderful MFA program at SIUC. Missing all of you.

Lumans update: Pushcart Nomination

2011-12-05T13:17:00.002-06:00

Congrats to Alex Lumans (MFA '09, fiction):

The Journal has decided to nominate my story, "The American Indian is
Dead," which came out in their spring issue and which is still up on
their website, for a Pushcart Prize. I'm now indebted forever to them.

Lumans

Publication Alert: Rick Pechous

2011-12-05T09:42:00.003-06:00

Congrats to Rick Pechous (MFA '11) on this newly published story:

It'd be great if you could post the link to this story I wrote a while
back that just came out today from Nashville Review. It's a longer
piece titled, "The Eagle Has Conjured Itself into a Dry Leaf Floating
in the Wind."

Nashville Review

Publication Alert: Ruth Awad

2011-12-05T09:34:00.001-06:00

Congrats to Ruth Awad (MFA '12, poetry)

I'm happy to pass along news that RHINO has accepted my poem "Winter
Salat" for publication and will be out in print in April 2012.
Huzzah!

Congrats, Ruth!

SIUC faculty poet to read at Tusculum College

2011-11-30T07:33:00.002-06:00

SIUC faculty poet Allison Joseph will read from her work at Tusculum College in Greeneville, TN on December 1:

Joseph reads

Congrats to Travis Mossotti!!

2011-11-30T07:28:00.001-06:00

Upcoming publications from Travis Mossotti (MFA '11, poetry):

"The Logger" is forthcoming at Fourth River (another eight-page poem)
"Midnight, After the Snowstorm" is forthcoming at The Briar Cliff Review
"Trends Motel" is forthcoming at River Styx (Honorable Mention for their
International Poetry Prize)

Congrats, TM!

congrats to Amie Whittemore!!!

2011-11-30T07:24:00.001-06:00

Amie Whittemore (MFA '10, poetry) has news of recent accepted work:

My poems "Tadpole Season" and "In Which Great Aunt Whitt Becomes the
Patron Saint of Leaving" have been accepted for publication by
Cimarron Review.

My short story "Pythagorean Theorem" has been accepted for publication
by Valparaiso Fiction Review.

Congrats, Amie!!!

Alumni Alert: News from Chad Simpson (MFA '05)

2011-11-17T15:37:00.001-06:00

Fiction alum Chad Simpson (MFA '05) sends fine news as well:

I have a bit of news for the blog:

My story "Your Place in the World" is included in the latest issue of
Midwestern Gothic, along with work by a couple of other SIUC folks.

My essay "On Helplessness" was recently published in Fifth Wednesday Journal.

And: My chapbook, Phantoms, previously sold out, was recently
re-released by Origami Zoo Press as an e-book for the Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/Phantoms-ebook/dp/B006584WGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321545258&sr=8-1

http://midwestgothic.com/

http://fifthwednesdayjournal.org/

Staci Schoenfeld publications forthcoming!

2011-11-17T15:30:00.001-06:00

First-year poetry MFA Staci Schoenfeld also has great news:

I just received the news that The Dead Mule School of Southern
Literature will publish my poems "World Wide Web," "Exploring the
Boundaries of Comfort," and "Kentucky Woman" in March 2012.

Congrats, Staci!!!

Andrew McSorley publication forthcoming!

2011-11-17T13:40:00.001-06:00

Second-year poetry MFA student Andrew McSorley writes this great news:

Good publication news: The Minnesota Review accepted my poem, "Hunting
Poy Sippi Swamp" for their Spring 2012 issue! Good things.

Congrats, McSorley!

Nick Ostdick on a roll!

2011-11-16T14:48:00.001-06:00

More great news from Nick Ostdick (third-year fiction):

The title story for my thesis/collection, 'Somewhere Between This
World and Another,' has just been picked up by THE2NDHAND for their
broadside series. Looks like it'll go to print in early 2012. Not too
shabby.

Congrats to Nick Ostdick!

2011-11-16T14:04:00.001-06:00

Third-year fiction writer Nick Ostdick has more good news:

The First Line has accepted my story Accidents Happen for their winter
issue. It should be out in a few months, I think, and it's a paying
gig too! I'll take that.

Congrats, NO!

Come Join Our Faculty: Fiction Position Announcement

2011-11-15T09:49:00.001-06:00

The English Department at SIU Carbondale seeks applications to fill a faculty
position at the level of tenure-track Assistant Professor in fiction writing for
the Creative Writing Program. Candidates must possess an earned MFA or PhD in
fiction writing or a related field, a record of national publications, and
teaching experience. Principal responsibilities include teaching undergraduate
and graduate level courses, maintaining a successful publication record in the
area of expertise, and serving on departmental, college, and/or university
committees. Application deadline: 12/23/11 or until filled. Send letter of
application, current c.v., and writing sample to Professor Michael R. Molino,
Chair, Department of English, Mail Code 4503, SIU Carbondale, 1000 Faner Dr.,
Carbondale, IL 62901. SIU Carbondale is an affirmative action/equal opportunity
employer that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and
staff and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population. All
applications are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.

SIUC writers are taking the show on the road!

2011-11-08T13:34:00.001-06:00

This semester Writers On the Road heads up to Champaign via U of I's
MFA program, and this Saturday at 5:30 PM at the Indi Go Artist Co-Op
in downtown Champaign, SIUC MFA's Josh Bontrager, Jenny Flack, Austin
Kodra, Shawn Mitchell, and Nick Ostdick will read their work, rock the
house, etc. Should be fun!

poetry publication alert: Mark Brewin (MFA 11, poetry)

2011-11-03T12:18:00.001-05:00

Good news today from poetry alum Mark Brewin (MFA '11, poetry):

I am pleased to say that The Hollins Critic has accepted my poem
"Conversion" for publication.

Congrats, Mark!

Congrats to Nick Ostdick!

2011-11-01T13:37:00.001-05:00

Third-year fiction MFA Nick Ostdick is on a roll:

Very stoked to say my short story 'Woundedness' has just been accepted for publication by the good folks at Main Street Rag for their Secrets anthology, forthcoming in 2012.

Congrats, NO!!!

Congrats to Maggie Graber!

2011-10-28T16:18:00.001-05:00

First-year poetry MFA student Maggie Graber also has publication news:

I just got news from Yes, Poetry that they're accepting my poem "4
Poets and a Bicycle Walk Through Empty Parking Lot" and it will be
featured in their January issue.

Congrats, MG!!!!

Congrats to Sequoia Nagamatsu!

2011-10-28T16:15:00.001-05:00

Second-year fiction MFA Sequoia Nagamatsu has great news:

West Branch will be accepting my story, Before You Melt into the Sea,
for their web edition (w/ some cash to boot). The person that emailed
me was also the former editor at the Kenyon Review for a while and
said he had advocated for my work in the past, which was also an added
bonus to say the least. Yay!

Congrats, Sequoia! Well done!

Devil's Kitchen Literary Festival Event Schedule: 2011

2011-10-26T16:14:00.001-05:00

This week is the 10th! annual Devil's Kitchen Literary Festival:

Information here:
Festival Schedule

Congrats to Mark Brewin!

2011-10-24T13:36:00.001-05:00

Mark Brewin (MFA '11, poetry) writes with happy publication news:

I am pleased to say that Copper Nickel has accepted for publication my
poem "Turkey Point."

a new anthology is born!

2011-10-20T09:28:00.001-05:00

Congrats to third-year fiction writer Nick Ostdick, who writes this
morning with very fine news:

Some big news, actually. I've spent the last few months working on
this and I'm overjoyed to say my anthology of short stories inspired
by hair metal songs is forthcoming mid 2012 from Orange Alert Press, a
Chicago-based indie publisher. The anthology is called Hair Lit, Vol.
1, and is packed with amazing writers. Seriously, it's pretty insane.
I'm thrilled!

Superb work, Nick! Congrats!

Newly Published: Imaginary Logic by Rodney Jones

2011-10-19T14:00:00.001-05:00

Rodney Jones, poet and longtime SIUC faculty poet, is celebrating the publication of his new book, Imaginary Logic!

Details here:
Imaginary Logic

Panel for Undergrads Considering the MFA: Thursday, 4 pm, Faner Humanities Lounge

2011-10-17T09:25:00.001-05:00

the SIUC Graduate Writers Forum will be hosting an MFA program
Application/Info panel for undergrads interested in pursuing an MFA in
the near future. Please notify any students you think may be
interested in such a session. We'll be discussing funding, the nuts
and bolts of application packets, letters of reference, statements of
purpose, the GRE, writing samples, and what exactly the value of an
MFA is/isn't. The panel will be on Thursday, October 20th in the Faner
Humanities Lounge.

Exciting news for first year poet Maggie Graber!

2011-10-14T14:24:00.003-05:00

First-year MFA in poetry Maggie Graber has great Friday news:

My following poems will be featured in the summer 2012 issue of Avatar Review:

"Bees Turn House into Hive"
"In the Garden"
"Poem for the Glassmaker"
"The Sweatshirt"

Congrats, Maggie!

LINK:
Avatar Review

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

2011-10-13T12:46:00.001-05:00

Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11, fiction) writes with news of publication:

I have a poem entitled "Safety" up at Switched-on Gutenberg Issue 17:
Accidental. Judy, Mark, and Brenna had their hands all over this one.

http://www.switched-ongutenberg.org/current/Young.htm

Congrats, MSY

Mini-Conference on "Life After the MFA": October 15, 2011

2011-10-12T15:44:00.001-05:00

On Saturday (yes, you read that right) Oct 15th, SIUC faculty poet
and MFA Program Director
Allison Joseph will lead a mini-conference on "life after the MFA."

Here's the mini-conference schedule:

1-3pm: CVs and Resumes, Academic Job Searches (How to read a job posting)

break

3:30 pm-5pm: Non Academic Jobs for MFAs, getting recommendations,
post-MFA fellowships, writing colonies andconferences; Should I get
another degree?

We will meet in the Faner Humanities Lounge.

Judy Jordan to speak for Sigma Tau Delta

2011-10-12T15:11:00.002-05:00

SIUC faculty poet Judy Jordan will speak and read new poems for Sigma Tau Delta on Thursday, October 13th at 6 pm in the SIUC Student Center Mackinaw Room. All are welcome to attend.

Congrats to Nick Ostdick!

2011-10-07T21:33:00.001-05:00

Happy news from Nick Ostdick (third-year fiction):

Super good news this morning: my short-short 'Junk' has been accepted
for publication by the Emprise Review for their forthcoming issue. No
firm date yet, but very cool. Thanks!

Congrats, NO!!!

Congrats to Beth Lordan!

2011-10-05T14:20:00.001-05:00

Congrats to fiction faculty member Beth Lordan whose story "A Useful
Story" (which first appeared in New England Review, volume 31, number
1) has been cited as a "Distinguished Story of 2010" in Best American
Short Stories 2011!

Catching Up with Travis Mossotti (MFA '10)

2011-10-04T14:29:00.001-05:00

Here's what Travis Mossotti (MFA '10, poetry) has been up to:

Pub Updates:
Got two: "Dust" got picked up at Burnside Review (with a reading in
Portland, OR at the Crow Manor House Wednesday, February 22, 2012);
"Santorini" got picked up at Cream City Review.

Other:
Interview with Tim Green should also be coming out soon with Rattle.
Edward Byrne at Valparaiso Poetry Review nominated "My Brother's
House" for "Best of the Net 2011." I'll be down in your neck of the
woods this Friday, October 7th: Reading @ 4pm in Harry T. Moore
Auditorium. Reading at the River Styx Reading Series in St. Louis with
Erika Meitner on Monday, October 17th @ 7:30pm @ Duff's in the CWE.
Invited to the Utah Humanities Book Festival October 26th & 27th for a
reading at the Salt Lake City Main Public Library, a screening of
"Decampment," followed by a reading at Utah State University the next
day.

See you soon, TM!

Congrats to Staci Schoenfeld!

2011-10-04T12:01:00.001-05:00

First-year poet Staci Schoenfeld has these upcoming publications to announce:

My poem "Misdiagnosed" will be published in the Fall 2011 issue of
Appalachian Heritage. "Miscellaneous Merchandise" and "On the Way Home
from Lexington to Frankfort Via Leestown Road" will be published in
Accents Publishing's Bigger Than They Appear: Anthology of Very Short
Poems in November.

Congrats, Staci!!!

Shawn Mitchell update

2011-10-01T07:31:00.001-05:00

Third-year fiction student Shawn Mitchell has been very busy:

I've got a few things up over at the Fiction Writers Review, inc.:

An appreciation/review of Pinckney Benedict's "Miracle Boy":

http://fictionwritersreview.com/reviews/miracle-boy-and-other-stories-by-pinckney-benedict

which is the book of the week over there right now!

An interview/conversation with Elif Batuman and Geoff Dyer at the Cuirt
Festival in Galway:
http://fictionwritersreview.com/interviews/writing-whatever-you-want-whenever-you-want-to-write-it-a-conversation-with-elif-batuman-and-geoff-dyer

A short appreciation of the Granta Book of the Irish Short Story:
http://fictionwritersreview.com/blog/stories-we-love-the-granta-book-of-the-irish-short-story

In fiction:

My story "The Pink Missive" just ran over at Johnny America just
today: http://www.johnnyamerica.net/
My story "She Was Beautiful, Yes" ran over at The Montreal Review awhile ago:
http://www.themontrealreview.com/2009/She-Was-Beautiful-Yes.php

Congrats, Shawn!

SIUC Poet to Read at Central Methodist University

2011-09-27T19:39:00.001-05:00

SIUC faculty poet Allison Joseph will read from her work at Central Methodist University on Wednesday, Sept 28, 2011:

Details here:
Poetry Reading, Fayette, MO

2011 Devil's Kitchen Literary Festival @ SIUC

2011-09-27T15:10:00.001-05:00

Here's information on our upcoming annual fall literary festival

2011 Devil's Kitchen Literary Festival
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, October 26 – 28
(All Events in SIUC's Morris Library)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26

8:00 – 9:15 p.m.
Readings by Amina Gautier & Rodney Jones
John C. Guyon Auditorium (1st Floor Morris Library)

9:15 – 10:00 p.m.
Festival Reception (sponsored by the SIUC Dept. of English)
1st Floor Rotunda (Morris Library)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

—panel discussion, John C. Guyon Auditorium (1st Floor Morris Library)—

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Visiting Writers Panel featuring Amina Gautier, Alyson Hagy, Katherine
Riegel, Ira Sukrungruang, & Jerry Williams

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Readings by Brian Barker & Camille Dungy
John C. Guyon Auditorium (1st Floor Morris Library)

3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Reception and Book Signing featuring all festival readers
1st Floor Rotunda (Morris Library)

4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Readings by the 2011 Devil's Kitchen Reading Award Winners
Jerry Williams & Alyson Hagy
John C. Guyon Auditorium (1st Floor Morris Library)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

11:00 – 11:50 a.m.
Readings by Katherine Riegel & Ira Sukrungruang
John C. Guyon Auditorium (1st Floor Morris Library)

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
The Anthology Pathology: How to Edit a Creepy Book (Editors and
contributors discuss and read from two new anthologies--The Book of
Villains and Surreal South '11: Monsters and Ghosts)
John C. Guyon Auditorium (1st Floor Morris Library)

The festival is sponsored by GRASSROOTS, the Southern Illinois
University Carbondale Department of English's undergraduate literary
magazine. The Devil's Kitchen Fall Literary Festival is made possible
through funding from the SIUC Fine Arts Activity Fee, the SIUC
Creative Writing Program's Visiting Writers Series, and CRAB ORCHARD
REVIEW.

Festival author links:

Brian Barker website: http://brianbarker.net/

Laura and Pinckney Benedict bios and information on the Surreal South
anthologies on the Press 53 website:
http://www.press53.com/surrealsouth.html

Camille Dungy website: http://www.camilledungy.com/

Amina Gautier website: http://www.aminagautier.com/

Alyson Hagy author page at Graywolf Press with links to her books:
https://www.graywolfpress.org/index.php?option=com_phpshop&page=shop.author&product_id=302&author_id=39

Rodney Jones page at The Poetry Foundation:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/rodney-jones

Katherine Riegel website: http://www.katherineriegel.com/

Ira Sukrungruang website: http://www.sukrungruang.com/

Jerry Williams bio and Q&A on the blog How a Poem Happens:
http://howapoemhappens.blogspot.com/2010/02/jerry-williams.html

Josh Woods bio (bottom of the page) and his anthology The Book of
Villains at Main Street Rag Publishing website:
http://www.mainstreetrag.com/Villains.html

A Profile of the SIUC MFA Program

2011-09-26T13:15:00.001-05:00

courtesy the Daily Egyptian, SIUC's student newspaper:

Profile

more Brewin news

2011-09-22T15:19:00.001-05:00

Mark Jay Brewin Jr. (MFA '11, poetry) is definitely on a roll:

I am pleased to say that Cave Wall has accepted for publication the
untitled, prologue-poem for my book which I will affectionately refer
to as by its first line "Water was always the problem
surrounding...".

Congrats, MB, on all your recent publication acceptances!

Update: Kevin McKelvey (MFA '04, poetry)

2011-09-22T15:17:00.001-05:00

An update from Kevin McKelvey, poetry alum:

So I'm still doing writing-in-the-schools programs, now with my UIndy
students through Second Story (secondstoryindy.org). My students are
also editing, designing, and publishing books for second through
eighth graders at local schools. Here's an article about some of that
work, which I co-wrote with my collaborators from a local IPS school,
Second Story, and a class at Butler University:

http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol6/625-mckelvey.aspx

Great work, Kevin! Keep us posted!

more Brewin news

2011-09-19T12:52:00.001-05:00

Mark Brewin (MFA '11) has more news:

I just found out I was a finalist in the 2011 New Letters Literary Award.

Congrats, MB!!

list of finalists here:
http://www.newletters.org/finalists_2011.asp

A Portrait of a New Literary Journal: Prime Mincer

2011-09-16T15:54:00.003-05:00

Read here about Prime Mincer, a new literary journal founded by SIUC MFA alums and current creative writing graduate students:

Prime Mincer

Kudos to Lumans and Brewin

2011-09-15T11:10:00.001-05:00

News from some recent alums:

Alex Lumans (MFA '09, fiction):

A story of mine entitled "The Dictionary of Your Fears" was published
yesterday at Necessary Fiction. And the day before, they posted an
essay of mine with a far too long title ("Parochial Plaids,
Self-Cogitation, the Water Moccasin Myth, and "I Might Want to Come
Back": How You're Already Trying to Figure Out What This List Means").

Also, Blackbird accepted my story "Signs and Wonders" for publication.

Mark Jay Brewin, Jr. (MFA '11, poetry):

I am happy to say that my poem "So Intricate, So Inconceivably
Complex" has been accepted for publication in Columbia Poetry Review.
You, Rodney and Judy have all seen this poem in every incantation, and
it would not have been picked up without your diligent work. Thanks
very much.

Congrats, Alex and Mark!!!

Writers Workshop, Carbondale Public Library, starting 9/20/11

2011-09-13T15:36:00.001-05:00

Third-year MFA students Shawn Mitchell and Nick Ostdick will be
running a semester-long creative writing class/workshop at the
Carbondale Public Library every Tuesday from 6:30PM-8PM starting
September 20th.

Update: Rachel Furey (MFA '09)

2011-09-13T14:10:00.001-05:00

Spectacular news from Rachel Furey (MFA '09, fiction):

I hope all is well in Carbondale.
I thought I'd pass along news of recent publications. My short story
"Jody's Solo" took second place in the American Fiction Prize and will
be published in Volume 12 of American Fiction: The Best Unpublished
Short Stories by Emerging Writers. The story was also a finalist for
the Normal School Fiction Prize, so I am happy it found a home. Also,
my story "Stealing Scalpels" will appear in Fifth Wednesday Journal,
my story "Baby Girl" in the Tidal Basin Review, and my story "The
Blood Donation" in New Texas.

Fiction Forthcoming from Nick Ostdick!

2011-09-02T16:11:00.002-05:00

Congrats to third-year MFA fiction writer NIck Ostdick:

My flash fiction 'About That' has been accepted for publication by the good folks over Big Lucks for their 'real talk' issue.

Congrats, Nick!

Big Lucks:
Big Lucks

Congrats to Pete Lucas!

2011-09-01T10:47:00.002-05:00

Second-year fiction MFA student Pete Lucas has this great news:

My short story, "For the Good of the Family" received an honorable
mention in Glimmer Train's June Fiction Open.
list of honorable mentions
List

Alumni Publications: New and Forthcoming

2011-08-29T13:07:00.001-05:00

SIUC MFA alums have been busy:

Brenna Lemieux (MFA '11, poetry):
Ploughshares has just accepted my poem "Precision," for its Winter 2012 issue.

Mary Jay Brewin, Jr. (MFA '11, poetry):
My poem "Kansas Burning" was accepted for publication at storySouth. I
like the sound of that.

Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11, fiction):

My interview with Devil's Kitchen's very own Jennine Capo Crucet is
up at Fiction Writers Review. Enjoy!

http://fictionwritersreview.com/interviews/how-to-leave-and-why-you-stay-an-interview-with-jennine-capo-crucet

Congrats to all on these excellent publications!

SIUC MFA Program Ranked at #25 in 2012 Poets and Writers rankings!

2011-08-19T14:38:00.001-05:00

Poets and Writers Magazine has ranked the SIUC MFA Program in Creative Writing at #25 in the nation!

Details here:
the Top 50

Welcome to Carbondale, New MFA Students!

2011-08-18T10:21:00.002-05:00

MFA Carbondale is happy to welcome the following new students to Carbondale:

Josh Bontrager, Poetry
Jenny Flack, Fiction
Mary Kate Flannery, Fiction
Elise Foster, Fiction
Brett Gaffney, Poetry
Maggie Graber, Poetry
Josh Gray, Fiction
Ben Guerette, Fiction
Patrick Hunt, Fiction
Austin Kodra, Poetry
Zach Macholz, Poetry
Staci Schoenfeld, Poetry
Ashley Sigmon, Fiction

Welcome and thanks for coming!

MFA Orientation: Monday, August 15 @ 3:30 pm

2011-08-10T14:28:00.002-05:00

Come one, come all (MFA students and faculty that is):

MFA Orientation for New and Returning Students
MFA Program in Creative Writing
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Meeting time: 3:30 pm
Meeting date: Monday, August 15th, 2011
Meeting place: Harry T. Moore Auditorium, Faner Hall

We will welcome our new class of MFA students officially to the SIUC MFA Program!

Travis Mossotti to be featured on "The Writer's Almanac"!

2011-08-03T13:14:00.001-05:00

2011 MFA poetry alum Travis Mossotti has more good news:

Just found out that Garrison Keillor is going to be reading my poem, "Crossing the Gap" on NPR's The Writer's Almanac this upcoming Monday, August 8th 2011. The broadcast will be available online at
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/, The Writer's Almanac official website.

Great news, Travis!!!

Congrats to Nick Ostdick!

2011-08-02T09:41:00.001-05:00

Third-year fiction MFA student Nick Ostdick starts August off with some very good news:

My story 'Thursday' has been picked up by Anthills for their sixth issue due in November. It's the first story from thesis to be picked up. How 'bout that, huh?

Congrats, Nick!!!

Travis Mossotti update

2011-08-01T17:24:00.001-05:00

Travis Mossotti is now a daddy! And yes, his poems are still being accepted everywhere:

Genie and baby are doing great: sleeping, feeding, sleeping, feeding, well, you get the picture. I read Cora the last half of "Song of Myself" between last night and the early hours of the morning. She was a fan. Might move on to some Allison Joseph next.

Got some pub news: 5AM took "At the Deli Counter" for publication this winter, and Dark Horse accepted "Delivering the Bad News" for this fall.

Congrats on the publications, Travis, and congrats to you and Genie and the birth of Cora!

Mark Brewn publication update

2011-08-01T13:43:00.001-05:00

Poetry alum Mark Brewin (MFA '11, poetry) writes:

I am pleased to announce that my poem "On Garages" was accepted for publication at Arroyo Literary Review. Thanks very much to all of my peers and professors from SIUC for helping this piece get this far. I hope all is well, and--I must say--I miss The 'Dale quite a bit.

Congrats, MJB!

Brenna Lemieux publication update

2011-08-01T13:40:00.001-05:00

MFA '11 grad Brenna Lemieux writes with fine poetry publication news:

I'm writing with some publication news for a steamy summer day. I just found out that Prairie Schooner will publish my poems "Three-Fingered Willy" and "Mislaid Memory about Pigeons," and RHINO has accepted "Ear Training.

Congrats, Brenna!!!!

Fantastic News for Alex Lumans!!!

2011-07-25T08:12:00.001-05:00

Great news from fiction alum Alex Lumans (MFA '09):

I was awarded a fellowship to attend the MacDowell Colony. So, this fall, I'll be there for seven weeks in the deep dark woods of New Hampshire.

American Short Fiction accepted a story of mine, "The Unicorns," for publication in their web exclusives. It will be on their website in August.

The Normal School accepted my story "Limes" for publication.

I received Honorable Mention in the 2011 Press53 Open Award for Short Story and I was also a finalist in their Short-Short Story category. http://www.press53.com/OpenAwards_2011.html

And my stories in The Yalobusha Review and The Journal are now officially out. http://thejournalmag.org/archives/112

Congrats, Lumans!!!!

Good News While Waiting!

2011-07-19T08:43:00.001-05:00

Travis Mossotti (MFA '10) sends good news while he and wife Genie wait for the new addition to their family:

Good news as we await the little one to arrive by stork, Manchester Review took "Hills" for their October 2011 issue. A decidedly American epic poem, scooped up by a British mag. Go figure.

Congrats, TM!

Kevin McKelvey update

2011-07-18T13:43:00.001-05:00

News from poetry alum Kevin McKelvey (MFA '04):

The Indiana Arts Commission awarded me a grant to write poems about the Wabash River in Indiana. Looking forward to new poems and research, and also offering readings and writing workshops in Geneva, Huntington, Peru, Logansport, Delphi, Lafayette, Perrysville, Terre Haute, Vincennes, and New Harmony.

Congrats, Kevin!!!

Catching up with Brooks Rexroat (MFA '11)

2011-07-14T10:02:00.001-05:00

Great news from fiction grad Brooks Rexroat:

Exciting publication news from my home state and abroad...
The Cleveland Review has accepted my short story, "Destroying New Boston." It should be posted July 31 at clevelandreview.net.
My short-short "Legacy" will appear in the upcoming 13th issue of The Literary Bohemian, published out of the Czech Republic. literarybohemian.com

Congrats, Brooks!!!

Congrats to Pete Lucas!!

2011-07-11T10:58:00.001-05:00

Good news on a hot day for second-year fiction writer Pete Lucas:

My short story "A Selfish Gift" will be published in the next print issue of Gertrude.

website: gertrudepress.org

Congrats, Pete!

Mid-Summer Alumni News: July 11, 2011

2011-07-11T10:55:00.002-05:00

News from:

Chad Simpson (MFA 05, fiction):

My story "The Woodlands" is the July web exclusive over at American Short Fiction. The story's here: http://www.americanshortfiction.org/index.php?Itemid=7, and there's an interview with me about the story here: http://www.americanshortfiction.org/blog/?p=4631.

I also received some good news from folks with SIUC ties: My story "American Bulldog"--from COR's Land of Lincoln issue--has been chosen by John McNally to appear in Jason Brown and Shanie Latham's New Stories from the Midwest 2011, which is going to be put out by Indiana University Press.

And: My story collection was recently named one of three finalists for Sarabande's Mary McCarthy Prize. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only former Saluki on the list of finalists and semi-finalists: http://www.sarabandebooks.org/?page_id=71

Helena "Hel" Bell (MFA 08, poetry)

a flash fiction piece I wrote has just been published by Brain Harvest:

http://www.brainharvestmag.com/2011/07/please-return-my-son-who-is-in-your-custody/

Congrats to Ruth Awad!!!

2011-07-07T18:28:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to third-year poet Ruth Awad for winning this year's poetry contest from Copper Nickel!

Details here:

Copper Nickel

new Josh Woods anthology coming soon!

2011-06-29T08:37:00.001-05:00

Great news from Josh Woods (MFA '09, fiction):

I've got a new anthology out that features very cool work from two other SIUC MFAers, Lumans and Flaherty. The anthology is a collection of stories about villains called, believe it or not, The Book of Villains. It releases Aug. 30th, but pre-orders get a massive discount. Below is the link.

Please help me spread the word!

http://www.mainstreetrag.com/Villains.html

Josh is also the editor of the Versus Anthology (Press 53, 2009).

Catching Up with Tim Marsh (MFA '06, fiction)

2011-06-28T09:33:00.002-05:00

Great news for fiction grad Tim Marsh (MFA ''06):

I have some news for the blog: This autumn I'll have stories appearing in Quiddity and Sweet. I've also just received a writer's fellowship to the Can Serrat residency program in Barcelona, which will give me 4+ weeks in Spain either this November or next April, 2012.

Congrats, Tim, on all your good news!

Melissa Scholes Young Update

2011-06-27T08:28:00.001-05:00

Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11, fiction) has loads of juicy news:

I have the poems "Coconut Water," "Piranha Fishing," and "Escape from Brazil" in the spring editions of Cold Mountain Review, Tampa Review, and Tapestry. Also, I got a big girl job teaching writing full-time at American University beginning this fall. Couldn't have done any of that good stuff without the amazing folks at SIU. A million thanks to you and Jon and the whole crew. See you in D.C.!

Congrats on all this great news, Melissa!!!!

Congrats to Sequoia Nagamatsu!

2011-06-27T08:26:00.001-05:00

Great news for second-year fiction MFA student Sequoia Nagamatsu:

Just got word that my story, "The Passage of Time in the Abyss", has been accepted for the 2012 issue of Gargoyle Magazine. And I'd just like to give a shout out to everyone who helped me with this one esp. those who reminded me of Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth in their critique letters, which ended up being a quite helpful model. Huzzah!

Congrats, Sequoia!!!!

Matt Guenette (MFA '99) update

2011-06-24T15:51:00.001-05:00

News from Matt Guenette (MFA '99, poetry)

The July issue of Diode (http://www.diodepoetry.com/) will run a handful of poems, including a number from the soon-to-be publishedAmerican Busboy.

The July issue of iO Poetry (http://iopoetry.org/) will run a review I wrote of Julie Hanson's book Unbeknownst.

My poem "Wasps" was accepted by the Spoon River Poetry Review.

My poem "The Produce & Me" appears in the latest issue of Crab Creek Review.

My poem "Job Performance" has been accepted for publication in Prime Mincer.

Congrats, Matt on the upcoming publication of your second book, American Busboy!

http://www.amazon.com/American-Busboy-Matthew-Guenette/dp/1931968977

Brooks Rexroat (MFA '11) news

2011-06-23T18:39:00.001-05:00

Great news from Brooks Rexroat (MFA '11, fiction):

Weave Magazine has accepted my short story, "Moving Day." It'll be printed and shipped out in January; in the meantime, I'm quite excited that I'll be teaching this fall at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Congrats, Brooks!!!!

Surreal South '11 to feature fiction alums

2011-06-20T10:51:00.002-05:00

Surreal South 11, the third volume in the anthology series edited by Laura and Pinckney Benedict, will feature work by A.K Thompson, Alex Lumans, and Josh Woods, all recent alums of the SIUC MFA program. Congrats to all, especially to Pinckney and Laura for continuing this project!

Details here
Surreal South 11

Young Writers Workshop 2011: Back for Another Summer

2011-06-17T13:59:00.002-05:00

The faculty, staff and participants of SIUC's 13th Annual Young Writers Workshop cordially invite you to join them for this year's Reading Series. All events are free and open to the public!

Young Writers Workshop 2011 Reading Series: Southern Illinois University Carbondale

JUNE 21, 2011:
SIUC Faculty Reading: Pinckney Benedict
Faner Hall, Harry T. Moore Auditorium, 8 pm
SIUC fiction faculty member Pinckney Benedict will read selections of his work.

JUNE 22, 2011:
SIUC Graduate Creative Writers Reading:
Ruth Awad, Shawn Mitchell, and Andrew McSorley
Faner Hall 1005, 4-5 PM

Visiting Writer Reading: Allison Joseph and Jon Tribble, poets
Harry T. Moore Auditorium) 8PM
SIUC MFA Program Director Allison Joseph and Crab Orchard Review Managing Editor Jon Tribble will read from their nationally-published works of poetry.

JUNE 23, 2011:
SIUC Graduate Creative Writers Reading:
Dan Paul, John Stanford Owen, and Sequoia Nagamatsu
Faner Hall 1005, 4-5 PM

Visiting Writer Reading: Travis Mossotti, poet
Harry T. Moore Auditorium 8 PM
Travis Mossotti received his MFA in poetry from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His poetry continues to appear widely. Mossotti was awarded the James Hearst Poetry Prize from the North American Review in 2009. His first collection of poems, About the Dead (Utah State University Press, 2011), was awarded the 2011 May Swenson Poetry Award.

JUNE 24, 2011:
SIUC Graduate Creative Writers Reading:
Pete Lucas, Max Schleicher, and Nick Ostdick
Faner Hall 1005, 4-5 PM

Visiting Writer: Michael Meyerhofer, poet
Harry T. Moore Auditorim 8 PM
Michael Meyerhofer’s third book of poems, Damnatio Memoriae, won the Brick Road Poetry Book Contest. Previous poetry books are Blue CollarEulogies (Steel Toe Books) and Leaving Iowa (winner of the Liam Rector First Book Award). He also has a fantasy novel, Wytchfire, that is forthcoming from Triskaideka Books. His work has appeared in Ploughshares, North American Review, Arts & Letters, River Styx, Quick Fiction and other journals, and can be read online at www.troublewithhammers.com.

JUNE 25, 2011:
Young Writers Workshop Participant Reading
Cisne Auditorium, Pulliam Hall 34, 1:30 PM

Travelstead and Scholes Young to read at River Styx's HYP June edition

2011-06-16T18:19:00.003-05:00

River Styx ’s popular summer reading series kicks off with The Hungry Young Poets, the fourteenth season of readings by six poets under the age of 33. We hope you can join us at Duff's Restaurant, located at 392 North Euclid in the Central West End , on June 20 at 7:30 pm.

Among the readers this June are our own Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11, fiction) and Jonathan Travelstead (third-year, poetry)

Hungry Young Poets Series

NB: SIUC poets Andrea Wagner and Andrew McSorley will read for the July HYP! Salukis represent!

great news for Rick Pechous (MFA '11)

2011-06-16T08:52:00.001-05:00

from Rick Pechous (MFA '11, fiction):

I'm happy to report that The Nashville Review is wanting to publish a longer piece of mine, "The Eagle Has Conjured Itself into a Dry Leaf Floating in the Wind," for their fall issue. It should be out December 1st. It's all really, very exciting.

Congrats, Rick!!!

Congrats to Nick Ostdick!

2011-06-13T08:31:00.001-05:00

Third-year fiction MFA student Nick Ostdick has new publication news:

A flash fiction of mine called 'How To Keep Your Boy' was just published in THE2NDHAND. Great little mag.

Congrats, Nick!!

http://the2ndhand.com/THE2NDHANDTXT/

Fantastic news for Kerry James Evans (MFA '09)

2011-06-10T08:24:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Kerry James Evans (MFA '09, poetry) on this fantastic news!!!!

My book, Bangalore will be coming out late 2013 with Copper Canyon Press.

Superb work, KJE!!! Proud of you!

Joplin Benefit: Langston Out Loud

2011-06-06T09:40:00.003-05:00

LANGSTON OUT LOUD: A BENEFIT FOR JOPLIN

Tuesday, June 14, 2011
4-6 pm
Harry T. Moore Auditorium, Faner Hall 1326

featuring readings from the work of Joplin's favorite son, Langston Hughes

The event is free and open to the public.
There will be drawings for door prizes and donations are welcome.

All donations raised will go to MIssouri Southern State University's fund for displaced students, faculty and staff members.

Congrats to Rick Pechous!

2011-06-02T15:57:00.001-05:00

MFA '11 grad Rick Pechous has new publication news to report:

I'm happy to report that Knee-Jerk Magazine has accepted my short piece, "Life with Angela" for publication. It's up now as part of their June issue. You can read it here:

http://kneejerkmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=176:life-with-angela-by-rick-pechous&catid=13:stories

Congrats, Rick!!!

Catching Up with Jim Gill (MFA '99)

2011-06-02T15:40:00.001-05:00

Fiction alum Jim Gill (MFA '99) writes with this update:

I have another short piece at The Common, an old piece that finally found a home.

http://www.thecommononline.org/dispatches/night-fishing-devils-kitchen-lake

Also, I thought I'd let you know that I've recently been promoted and will be, for at least the next year, program director of the English Dept at Northwest Christian University here in Eugene. Yeah, I know, me head of anything seems strange, much less an English Dept, but there it is. I'm actually very excited to continue working with great colleagues and students in an even larger capacity. Here's my faculty bio page if you want to post that. The picture of me is pretty goofy looking, but I guess the camera doesn't lie.

http://www.nwcu.edu/about/contact-us/by-department/arts-and-sciences/gill-james.aspx

Congrats, Jim!!!

more good news for Amie Whittemore

2011-06-02T09:08:00.001-05:00

Hits just keep on coming for Amie Whittemore (MFA '10, poetry)

My flash fiction piece "She rhymed with jump, I rhymed with rope" has been picked up by the Bellingham Review.

Great cross-genre action, AW!!!

Congrats to Amie Whittemore!

2011-05-31T12:40:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Amie Whittemore (MFA '10) on this upcoming publication:

I just wanted to let you know that my poem, "The Other Field" has been accepted for publication by The Fourth River.

Great news, AW!!

fabulous news for Jessica Easto!

2011-05-28T04:30:00.001-05:00

Second-year fiction writer Jessica Easto has great news:

I've just been notified that I've won a scholarship (free room, board, tuition) to participate in the Oxford American's first Summit for Ambitious Writers this summer (http://summit.oxfordamerican.org/)!!! David Remnick, Kevin Brockmeier, and Wells Tower (among many delightful others) are on faculty. Couldn't be more excited!

Sounds fantastic, Jessica!!! Many congratulations!

Catching Up with Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06, poetry)

2011-05-26T13:39:00.002-05:00

News from one proflic alum:

My third poetry book, "Damnatio Memoriae," should be released by September. You can still pre-order it here: http://www.brickroadpoetrypress.com/preorder/119-order-damnatio.html. My fifth chapbook, "Pure Elysium," is at the printers and should be out soon, as well. Oh, and a lil' side project, a fantasy novel called "Wytchfire," was accepted for publication by an indie press called Triskaideka Books. It's (hopefully) the first of a series, to be released in print and e-book format, probably also around September.

Congrats, MM!!

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

2011-05-26T13:16:00.001-05:00

Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11) writes with poetry publication news:

My poem "Safety" was just accepted for publication by Switched-on Gutenberg. It'll be out in the fall.

Congrats, MSY!

Congrats to Leslie Adams!

2011-05-10T14:04:00.001-05:00

Third-year MFA poet Leslie Adams sends great news from Ireland:

North American Review has accepted "Making Camp" for publication. Nice news to go with the gorgeous weather here. Can't wait to see everyone in a few weeks!

Congrats, Leslie! We've missed you!

MFA Graduation GALA--May 6, 2011

2011-05-05T11:49:00.002-05:00

The Creative Writing Program of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Department of English

cordially invites you to attend

our MFA Celebration

May 6, 2011

6-7 pm: Reception
7-9 pm: Readings

at the Varsity Center for the Arts, 418 South Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, Illinois

These nine graduating students will read briefly from their thesis works:

Janelle Blasdel
Lane Kareska
Brenna Lemieux
Charlie Lemmink
Richard Pechous
Brooks Rexroat
A,K. Thompson
Melissa Scholes Young
Katie Zapoluch

Please join us in wishing them congratulations and godspeed.

Congrats to John Stanford Owen!

2011-05-04T14:58:00.001-05:00

MFA graduate student in poetry John Stanford Owen has late afternoon good news for the blog!

I'm happy to announce "Devil's Drop" will be appearing in Third Coast.

Congrats, JSO!!!

Melissa Scholes Young to Read at Hungry Young Poets Series

2011-05-04T13:39:00.001-05:00

from Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11, fiction--but she writes (and publishes) everything):

I'm reading some poetry about Brazil for the Hungry Young Poets Summer Reading Series June 20th in St. Louis.

http://www.riverstyx.org/events/index.php

Congrats, MSY!!!

Congrats to Renee Wells (MFA '06, poetry)

2011-05-04T13:30:00.001-05:00

on her new job at Michigan Tech! I'll let Renee tell you about it:

I'll be working at Michigan Tech as their new Assistant Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Coordinator of LGBTQ Outreach. I will also teach LGBT poetry in their diversity minor.

Congrats, Renee!!!

Upcoming Publications for Kerry James Evans (MFA '09)

2011-05-04T11:55:00.001-05:00

the news from Kerry James Evans:

Hope all is well in the 'dale. I've had a few poems accepted. Ploughshares accepted "Blackbird," Tampa Review accepted "Buffalo Rock" and Water-Stone accepted "Killing the Snake."

Congrats, KJE!! Great publications!!!

Update from Rachel Furey (MFA '09)

2011-05-04T11:52:00.001-05:00

Fiction alum Rachel Furey writes with news of a critical nature:

I hope all is well in Carbondale and the semester is rounding itself
out well! This is not a creative publication, but since you wanted to
know, I will pass it along. My essay "Sentence Fragments, Sound, and
Setting in Suttree and The Road" has been accepted for publication in
The Cormac McCarthy Journal. It was exciting for me to see that I
could perform in this arena of writing as well.

Congrats, Rachel! Way to go!